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Police request six new vehicles ($423,340) as city cites retention pressures; fire chief warns new station would require six hires
Summary
Police and fire department needs were highlighted at the budget session: Police requested six replacement vehicles and upfits totaling $423,340 and flagged rising ammo and contracted-services costs; Fire Chief Tim Twisdale said a new station would require hiring six additional firefighters.
HENDERSON, N.C. — At the May 23 budget work session the city’s public-safety leadership summarized equipment and staffing needs that factored into departmental budget requests.
Police Chief Marcus Barrow told council members the department needs six new vehicles with equipment upfits totaling $423,340 to replace aging units and to support operational needs. Finance Director Joey Fuqua added that contracted services such as the Flock camera program and ammunition costs have risen and are reflected in the proposed budget. Fuqua and Barrow both said recruiting and retaining police officers remains challenging given competitive pay in neighboring jurisdictions; Barrow said a previously approved Police IT position has been filled by a candidate who formerly worked at the NCDOT.
Fire Chief Tim Twisdale said his department is currently fully staffed after recent salary adjustments, but that staffing a new fire station would require hiring six people and starting recruitment from scratch. Fire capital requests include a new roof for Station No. 1, replacement bay doors, new washer and dryer, rescue gear and communications equipment.
Council did not vote on staffing changes at the session; the capital equipment requests will be reviewed further as part of the budget process.
